Jon Ward Named to Challenger Athletics’ Board of Directors

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Law Firm Assisted Organization in Achieving Not-for-Profit Status

UNIONDALE, NY — Sahn Ward Coschignano & Baker, PLLC has announced that Jon Ward, a Partner with the Firm, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Challenger Athletics, Inc., a New York not-for-profit corporation that was established to — among other things — promote, foster and encourage children with special needs to participate in the sport of lacrosse. He has also been appointed Secretary of the corporation and serves as a volunteer coach for the program.

The organization holds lacrosse practices and games for special-needs children in Bay Shore, New York. The program, now in its second season, has over 70 athletes from all over Long Island participating in lacrosse practices and games. The athletes are assisted by over 100 student “buddy” volunteers and adult volunteer coaches, all of whom generously devote their time to the program. Challenger also co-sponsors a summer sports camp for children with special needs with St. Anthony's High School in Melville, New York.

Mr. Ward grew up playing lacrosse on Long Island and played college lacrosse at Yale University. He has coached girls and boys lacrosse for many years. He became involved in Challenger when a friend and fellow coach asked Jon and Sahn Ward to assist him in establishing a youth lacrosse program for special-needs children.

Sahn Ward provided pro bono legal services to the organization. Erik Zaratin, an Associate with the Firm, prepared the corporate formation documents as well as the organization’s application for tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service, which was granted on May 2014. Mr. Zaratin also handled the registration process with the Charities Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office. All donations to Challenger are now tax-deductible by the donor.

“I am proud to be a part of Challenger Athletics and its lacrosse program,” Mr. Ward said. “I am also pleased to see our law firm help the organization achieve not-for-profit status. This is a wonderful group that provides children with special needs the opportunity to learn about the sport of lacrosse and have fun doing it.”

“This is a great program that Jon is involved in,” said Michael Sahn, Managing Partner, Sahn Ward Coschignano & Baker, PLLC. “Our firm has a number of attorneys who volunteer their time to worthwhile organizations such as this. We are also proud of our involvement with Challenger Athletics and are pleased that our work has allowed them to achieve tax-exempt status.”

Sahn Ward Coschignano & Baker, PLLC is committed to providing its clients with the highest quality representation, counsel and advice. Practice areas include zoning and land use planning; real estate law and transactions; litigation and appeals; municipal law and legislative practice; cellular and telecommunications law; environmental, corporate, labor and employment law; tax certiorari and condemnation, matrimonial practice; and estate planning. The firm strives to assist its clients in a wide array of issues, serving them with skill and experience, resourcefulness and responsibility. For more information, call (516) 228-1300 or visit www.swcblaw.com.